If this World Cup was a party, then you’d think Australia have been like the guys at the bar closest to the door making little song and dance about their presence. And having barely had an impact on proceedings. Sri Lanka on the other hand have been like the enthusiastic fellow who’s set the dance floor alight with a couple of set moves but has then struggled to hold his own or anyone else’s attention for too long.
On Monday (October 16), the two teams will take on each other in a quest to open their account in the tournament. But also, more importantly, to let everyone else know that they are here, and are keen on putting on a lasting show.
To Sri Lanka’s credit, they’ve played a part in two of the more entertaining matches of the World Cup so far, starting with the run-fest against South Africa and the record-chase from Pakistan. Australia though have neither come close to winning nor have they stayed in games long enough to make a match of them. It’s meant that their opening two matches in the tournament have been rather one-sided. To such an extent that they’re coming off their worst defeat ever in a World Cup match, having lost to the South Africans by 134 runs.
While Australia are yet to post a score of 200 or above, Sri Lanka have gone past 300 comfortably in their first two contests.
Pat Cummins referred to his team’s current position as being one where “every game now becomes almost like a final”. Though the length of the tournament will allow for a technical chance for both teams even if they do lose on Monday, the chances of that happening will be minimal. And neither team will want to get into a 0-3 scenario by the time they leave Lucknow. While Australia have had their own share of injury troubles, Sri Lanka have been riddled with players going down and will now play the rest of the tournament without their captain Dasun Shanaka.
Australia’s issues have largely centred around the lack of runs from the middle-order and the inconsistency in wicket-taking during the middle overs. They are issues that they carried into the World Cup after having won only one out of their previous 8 ODIs. Sri Lanka, meanwhile, are coming off one of their best runs in the format, which has taken a bit of a blow in their last three games despite having had to qualify for the main draw. So, the onus will be on both teams to not just get moving up the points table but also to break free from their disappointing recent form. And also to ensure that they don’t reach a point this early where a premature exit from the party is guaranteed.
When: Australia v Sri Lanka, October 16, 14.00 hrs Local time, 19.30 hrs AEST
Where: Ekana Stadium, Lucknow
What to expect: The sun really does hit you hard in Lucknow during the day. It’s the kind of place where it’s best to avoid exposing your body to the elements before around 5 pm. That’ll also possibly dictate which way the two captains go when it comes to the toss. Cummins spoke about not being the best reader of pitches. But one thing he’d have noticed from the re-laid surface here is that it does begin to slow down once the ball loses its sheen and hardness. And also, that it seems to start seaming around under lights. Expect Cummins, at least, to be keen to bat first.
Team Watch
Australia
“I dare say there won’t be too many changes,” is how Cummins answered the customary question about the playing XI for the match. And with Josh Inglis being picked ahead of Alex Carey against South Africa, it’s only understandable that the Aussies will stick with the Western Australian behind the stumps.
Tactics & Strategy:
Australia have piled on scores of over 330 in both their previous World Cup encounters against Sri Lanka, even if they came in very different conditions to what’s on offer in Lucknow. Sri Lanka’s fast bowlers and overall depleted attack here might provide the best opportunity for Australia to get firing again with the bat, especially for the likes of Mitchell Marsh and David Warner. Having said that, a run-chase of any significance, say in excess of 300, would be a massive challenge for the misfiring Aussie batting line-up.
Probable XI: David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Glenn Maxwell, Josh Inglis (wk), Marcus Stoinis, Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood
Sri Lanka
Chamika Karunaratne bowled a long spell alongside the other fit bowlers on the eve of the match and should be a likely starter in place of Shanaka. Matheesha Pathirana is out with injury and that should mean Kasun Rajitha is a certain starter with the new-ball.
Tactics & Strategy:
Kusal Mendis made it very clear that he will not be keen on tinkering with the batting-order just because he’s now in-charge. And though chasing down a total might come with its difficulties against the seaming ball, Sri Lanka’s best chance is to somehow use their spinners to restrict the Aussies during the day rather than risk bowling later on when dew does start to have a big say. Both Maheesha Theekshana and Dhananjaya de Silva have a good record with the new-ball against David Warner, and that’ll be a certain match-up but wickets in the middle from their other spinners is what could give them the edge in this match between two teams who find themselves near the bottom for now.
Probable XI: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis (c&wk), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dushan Hemantha/Chamika Karunaratne, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Kasun Rajitha/Lahiru Kumara, Dilshan Madushanka
